Airbnb Deactivated Listing After Host Price Gouging Scheme
A host in Morocco allegedly pressured a guest to cancel a booking so he could relist the property at a significantly higher rate.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Apartments
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Airbnb has deactivated a rental listing in Marwan, Morocco, after a host allegedly coerced a guest into canceling a reservation to exploit surging demand. The host purportedly claimed the property required refurbishment, only to relist the unit for the same dates at six times the original price.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing conflict between hosts and guests during high-demand events, as property owners seek to capitalize on peak pricing by canceling existing reservations. Airbnb has implemented stricter policies to deter such behavior as interest in major travel events continues to climb.
The original booking cost for the Marwan property was £3,400, while the relisted price was £20,400. Airbnb applies a maximum 50% cancellation fee for hosts who breach terms of service.
The players
Sara Bauer
A traveler from Montana whose beachfront booking in Morocco was canceled under pressure from a host.
Airbnb
A global online marketplace that connects travelers with hosts for vacation rentals and experiences.
The details
Sara Bauer, a guest from Montana, booked the beachfront property for an August 2027 trip, only to be told she would be denied entry unless she canceled her reservation. The host allegedly cited personal penalties from the platform as the reason the guest had to perform the cancellation, while simultaneously moving to capture higher profits during the solar eclipse.
Timeline
July 2023: Airbnb introduced tougher cancellation deterrents.
August 2027: Dates of the booked trip and the solar eclipse.
Culture Shift
This incident reflects the ongoing tension between platform-wide price controls and the individual profit motives of property owners during major global events. It signals a shift in how marketplaces manage host accountability to maintain brand trust against opportunistic market exploitation.
Travelers should document all host communications and avoid canceling reservations themselves if a host makes demands, as this may forfeit their protection under platform policies. Keeping records allows guests to leverage Airbnb's dispute resolution tools and avoid unexpected last-minute price hikes.
The takeaway
Travelers booking for high-demand events like eclipses should be vigilant for unusual host requests that appear designed to void existing agreements. If a host asks you to cancel, always contact customer support first to protect your reservation and prevent financial loss.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry standards in Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Liverpool Echo.
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